2015 Polls: Jonathan talks tough in new year message to Nigerians

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*Says I’ll not tolerate repeat of post 2011 polls violence

*Assures on stability in the value of Naira

By Ben Agande

ABUJA — As political parties kicked off campaigns for next month’s general elections in the country, President Goodluck  Jonathan talked tough yesterday, saying his administration will not tolerate the kind of orgy of violence that trailed the 2011 elections in the forth-coming elections.

forth-coming elections.

In a new year message to Nigerians, President Jonathan said his administration was resolutely committed to a free and fair election.

Jonathan said: “Decisive action will be taken against any individuals or groups who attempt to disrupt the public peace before, during or after the 2015 elections.

“The elections are very important for us as a country.  Their successful conclusion will further strengthen our democratic institutions and place our beloved country even more firmly in the comity of truly democratic nations.

“Given the challenges that have characterised some previous electoral contests in our country, the eyes of the world will certainly be on the conduct and outcome of our fifth post-military rule general elections.

“I reassure all Nigerians and the international community of our firm commitment to free, fair and credible elections. My commitment to free elections and one man, one vote remains unwavering.

“Our administration has worked hard in previous elections to prepare all key stakeholders, including the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, security agencies and the electorate optimally, to ensure a progressively improved electoral process in the country under my watch.  We will continue to do so for the coming elections.

Adequate funding for INEC

“We will continue to provide adequate funding to INEC and maintain the commission’s independence and isolate it from any form of interference or meddling in its day-to-day affairs. This shall continue to guarantee its impartiality and ability to conduct more credible and acceptable elections.

“National security agencies will also be given all necessary support to enhance their ability to ensure that the elections are peaceful and violence-free.

“I am optimistic that with the cooperation of all law-abiding citizens of the country, our commitment to have a peaceful and violence-free election will be actualised.

Let us not promote sectionalism

“I will like to say this, once again, to my fellow politicians and political leaders. None of our political ambitions is worth the blood of any of our countrymen, women and children.

“The improvement of their lives and living conditions ought to be our primary motive and the driving force of our quest for political power and leadership positions.

“Let us not promote sectionalism, disunity, intolerance, hate, falsehood or the malicious abuse of political opponents.

“Whatever we feel or seek, we must have a nation and a people before we can dream of political ambitions. Let us put the nation and the people first.

“Let us all conduct our electoral campaigns with the highest possible decorum and civility towards political opponents. Let us give INEC the fullest possible support and cooperation it requires to conduct credible and violence-free elections in 2015.

Electoral violence

“After the 2011 general elections, some unpatriotic elements embarked on an orgy of violence, resulting in the destruction of lives and property. That will not be allowed to happen this time around.

“This government will act decisively against anyone who disrupts the public peace, before, during or after the 2015 general elections.

“All Nigerians, of voting age, are free to vote based on their convictions. It is our duty to defend and protect that basic right, and let no one be in doubt, we will.”

I’ll remain focused

He said  the 2015 general elections will not distract his administration from its ongoing effort to significantly improve their living conditions.

He said  his involvement in the campaigns and election as the presidential candidate of the Peoples’ Democratic Party, PDP, notwithstanding,  he will  remain fully focused on providing good governance and delivering better public services to Nigerians.

“By the special Grace of God, the Federal Government, under my leadership, has continued, in the past four years to lead our country forward, even under the most trying circumstances. The progress we have made in priority areas bears us testimony.

On the economy

“Our national economy maintained a steady growth rate of close to seven per cent in the past four years and millions of fresh employment opportunities were created for our people as a direct consequence.

“Being very conscious of the inherent perils of our over-reliance on income from crude oil exports for national development, we have focused on accelerating the diversification of our economy.

“The non-oil sector, which has grown by an average of 8 per cent in the last few years, is now a major driver of growth in our economy.

“The 2015 national budget, which is now before the National Assembly, is targeted at deepening our efforts at becoming a non-oil economy.

“The budget also includes measures to ensure that the downturn in the price of oil does not affect our development plans and our national economy too adversely. We are adjusting our financial processes to safeguard our economy.  We are also taking steps to ensure that the poor and the low and medium income earners do not bear the brunt.

Stability of Naira in 2015

“In 2015, this administration will continue to lay the foundation for a vibrant economy that attracts significant Foreign Direct Investment and promotes policies that ensure economic stability.

“We will ensure stability in the value of the Naira by striving to take away speculative behaviours that cause market exchange pressures.

“We will continue to build and maintain a healthy external reserves position and strengthen fiscal buffers.  We will ensure the Naira remains strong, and gives foreign investors the clarity and certainty that they need, to guide future investment decisions.

“We will continue to improve our payment systems and strengthen risk-based supervision mechanism for Nigerian banks to ensure overall health and stability of the banking system.”

Assures on free, fair polls

The President reassured Nigerians and the global community of his administration’s resolute commitment to free, fair, credible and acceptable elections.

Wishing Nigerians a happy and prosperous 2015, the President urged them to enter the new year with renewed  hope, patriotism and zeal to serve their fatherland.

He said: “As I have always maintained, none of the challenges before us is insurmountable.  We must come together as a people and work with single-minded unity of purpose to overcome them.

“As we go into this new year, I salute the indomitable and resilient spirit of our people in Nigeria and wherever they are in the world. Our spirit of enterprise and the doggedness to succeed among all odds has been our strength.

“Let us continue our march to the future, towards the attainment of our collective vision of a strong, united, prosperous and harmonious nation – a secure nation for us and for our coming generations.”

On terrorism

He praised the gallant officers, men and women of the armed forces and other security agencies who have been in the forefront of the war against terrorism and violent extremism in Nigeria.

He noted: “I want to assure you that the terrorists will not get away with their atrocities: they will not win; they will be routed.”

 

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2015 Polls: Jonathan talks tough in new year message to Nigerians

PDP woman deputy: APC accuses Wike of deceiving Rivers women

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By Ehi Ekhator, Naija Center News

Since Tuesday, the PDP in Rivers State and its governorship flag-bearer, Barr. Nyesom Wike, have been needlessly euphoric over the selection of Dr. [Mrs] Ipalibo Banigo as the deputy governorship candidate in Rivers State.

Nyesom Wike

Reacting to the move by the PDP in a statement signed by State Publicity Secretary, Chris Finebone, the APC in Rivers State alleged that PDP did not go for Dr. Banigo as a running mate because of popular believe that it has respect for the peace-loving women in Rivers Sate, adding that the choice is not the one bandied to the public in the presentation speech of the PDP candidate.

APC said revealed that the choice was a clear demand by the candidate who, by his nature, demeanour and disposition, abhors working with strong characters which a male deputy may turn out to be one. His choice was, therefore, a clear attempt to forestall possible scrutiny to his dreamland governorship.

 “We also know that Barr. Nyesom Wike, a known serial betrayer with a long history of treachery, is haunted by his past and, therefore, prefers a woman who is less likely to pay him back in his Pontius coins of betrayal and treachery.” said APC.

The party advised the Rivers women to ignore the “fake” promise of giving them a voice, as the reason for the choice of a woman as deputy governorship candidate, as dishonestly presented to Rivers people by Barr. Nyesom Wike and the PDP in Rivers State.

 “What the PDP and its candidate have succeeded in doing is merely employing an obsolete and pedestrian 19^th Century tactic with the intention to deceive our women and dishonestly obtain their votes. However, we trust that our women are well above that gimmick; indeed, we believe that Rivers women will always stand on the side of truth, equity and fairness in making their political choices.” APC stressed.

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PDP woman deputy: APC accuses Wike of deceiving Rivers women

Happy New Year to Naija Center Readers

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NAIJA CENTER wishes all its readers a Happy New Year and a New Month.

NCN is glad we all made it to 2015.

NCN is sure it was not easy in 2014. Some of us got hurt, we lost loved ones, we fought and made enemies, we cried secretly or openly, we sworn and wondered WHY ME? It was a struggle, some went and never returned. Here we are today, misbehaving happily minutes after new beginning.

Remember 2015 is not going to promise abundance but we are going to scale through because we always do. You have done it several times haven’t you?

You are going through a lot, laughing in sadness, filled with smile but with a sour heart, your time is coming, have you ever wondered why you have always survived or made it to a new year?

God bless you. May this new year be better than last year. It is my prayer, but the bulk of work is in your hands. If you need a shoulder to lean on, I’ll give you mine, I’ll always listen and together we will wish another new year.

God bless you. I am your friend, your father, your boyfriend, secrete admirer,

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Happy New Year to Naija Center Readers

Benin: How Festus Aimufua killed my sister – Brother

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As the family of the late Rose Aifuwa, the Austria-based woman, who was allegedly murdered on Christmas day in Benin, the Edo State capital, mourns her tragic loss, the brother of the deceased, Mr. Nosa Ojo, has urged the Nigeria Police to carry out a thorough investigation into her death and bring her killer to justice.

Rose Aifuwa

The mutilated body of the the late mother of three was found at Upper Mission extension junction, along the Benin-Auch Expressway in Benin, in the early hours of Christmas when many residents were making their way to the church.

Ojo said his sister, who hailed from Iguodo community, in Uhunmwode Local Government Area of the state, returned to the country to mark the Christmas and New Year celebrations with her family.

He said she had demanded the payment of a debt running into millions of naira from the sale of goods she had imported for the suspect, one Festus Aimufua, who was a spare parts dealer in Benin.

According to Ojo, it was in the process of his late sister’s attempt to prevent Aimufua from leaving in his car, after refusing to pay, that he (suspect) crushed her and dragged her body for over 700 metres, before dumping her body at the junction with several deep cuts and bruises.

He said he got a call that the lifeless body of her sister, who was supposed to attend a carol with her family on Christmas eve, was found lying on the busy expressway.

“We drove to her house and saw the blood stains outside from where Festus (aka Two Million) dragged her body for over 700 metres. It was barbaric because the whole of our family didn’t celebrate Christmas.

“Her children lost their father 19 years ago and she has been the bread winner. Now, she is gone and every Christmas has become a reminder of sorrow‎ for us. In fact, my 80-year-old mother is still traumatised by her shocking death,” he said.

It was also learnt that the suspect had reported the incident to the Ikpoba Hill Police Division, where he claimed to have killed her by accident, as he was under the influence of alcohol.

But the family maintained that the late woman did not die by accident.

‎Ojo said, “He (Aimufua) called later in the night that he had an argument with Rose and while he was driving away, she stood in front of his car and he used his car to push her away.

“He even said that we should go and look for her that he didn’t know if she was injured. So, I told him to report himself at the police station.

‎”How could you see somebody in front of your car and still zoom off on her? He is responsible for her death, as far as I’m concerned.

“The Austrian government has waded into the matter; the Inspector-General of Police is also aware of the case‎ and the Police Commissioner is investigating the matter.”

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Benin: How Festus Aimufua killed my sister – Brother

Army explains delay in recapturing towns seized by Boko Haram

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The Nigerian Army said on Wednesday that the need to reduce collateral damage had delayed the recapture of some towns and villages seized by insurgents in Borno.

Cameroonian soldiers patrol on November 12, 2014 in Amchide, northern Cameroon, 1 km from Nigeria. The city was raided by Islamists from Nigeria’s Boko Haram, killing eight cameroonian soldiers and leading the population to flee on October 15, 2014, before another six coordinated attacks that killed at least three civilians in the remote north of the country, on November 9, 2014. Boko Haram’s five-year insurgency in neighboring Nigeria has left thousands dead, and the Islamists have occasionally carried out attacks over the border. Cameroon has deployed more than 1,000 soldiers in the extreme northeast of the country to counter the Islamist threat. AFP PHOTO

Brig.-Gen. Olajide Laleye, the Director, Army Public Relations, gave the explanation while fielding questions at news conference in Abuja.

“We are not interested in collateral damage.

“The Nigeria Army is very careful about collateral damage, to that extent our operations are carefully planned to make sure that collateral damage is reduced to the barest minimum.

“If certain areas have not been recaptured it is because the Nigerian army is giving such areas very careful plans, the plans are ongoing.

“At the right time you will see the outcome; we will not tell you, of course, before hand, of what we intend to do; but you will see the outcome,’’ Laleye said.

According to him, Nigerians will be pleased at the end of such operations that collateral damage is reduced to the barest minimum.

He assured that law abiding Nigerians in those areas would be rescued from the insurgents, while those towns and villages completely freed from terrorism and insurgency.

Earlier, he said Gombi, Hong, Uba, Makera, Holma and Vimtim, all in Adamawa, had been recaptured, adding that the current military offensive would be sustained until the enemy was “completely defeated’’.

Laleye said new strategies had been introduced in the ongoing war after formations and units involved were evaluated, adding that this had impacted positively on the counter-insurgency operations in the North East.

He said that all officers and men involved in the operations in the region would undergo counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency training before being deployed in theatre of operation.

The army spokesman explained that this followed the directive of the Chief of Army Staff that all Divisional Headquarters should set up schools to step up counter-terrorism, counter-insurgency and Special Operations training.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to restate its determination to bring this counter insurgency and counter terrorism operations to a speedy and decisive end.

“Equally, the Nigerian Army seizes this opportunity to reassure Nigerians of its preparedness to support relevant agencies in the successful conduct of the 2015 general elections,’’ he said.

On the ongoing Court Martial of some officers, Laleye explained that it was necessary to enforce discipline in the armed forces and achieve success in the war against insurgency.

He said success achieved so far would not have been possible if the army do not undertake steps to remain a formidable fighting force through time tested procedures and enforcement of regulations.

“The judicial process that led to the convictions and acquittals (of some officers) followed international best practices in the military law and also conforms to relevant Nigerian laws.

“Let me state categorically that a General Court Martial has the status of the High Court and is back by extant laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The General Court Martial is not a final authority. Its processes are not only subject to confirmation by the appropriate superior authority but also subject to appeal,’’ he said.

 

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Army explains delay in recapturing towns seized by Boko Haram

North ungrateful parasites – Asari Dokubo

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By Levinus Nwabughiogu

ABUJA – Leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Salvation Force, NDPSF, Alhaji Mujahid Dokubo-Asari has again stated that desperate politicians from the northern Nigeria are ungrateful parasites who have not appreciated the south and especially the Niger-Delta for depending on their oil proceeds over the years.

Asari’s outburst was a reaction to the comments recently made by the Governor of Jigawa State, Alhaji Sule Lamido that staunch supporters of President Goodluck Jonathan such as Asari and Chief Edwin Clark were making incisive statements in their bid to secure a second term for Jonathan.

Lamido had in his statements decried the candidacies of Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP and General Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressives congress, APC.

He was quoted as saying that the duo were capable of setting Nigeria ablaze with their ambition.

But reacting to the statement, Asari who was also the former national President of Ijaw Youth Council, IYC and Jonathan’s kinsman in a telephone chat with Vanguard said that the north was bleeding over their loss of political power.

He stated that until the zone disabuse its mind from the mentality of “born to rule”, they would continue to meet stiff resistance from their southern counter-part.

“The president will win. There is no other option. If they contest they are wasting their time. He who pays the piper will dictate the tune. We own them. We are feeding them. They are parasites. A beggar has no choice. In all religions, in Islam, every where… if you are a beggar, you will respect the one who gives to you. They are beggars and parasites.”

Details later…

 

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North ungrateful parasites – Asari Dokubo

Buhari’s self demystification

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By Abubakar Galadima

MORE than any other aspirant to Nigeria’s presidency in recent times, General Muhammadu Buhari has received the most criticism for his brand of politics, his undignified utterances and what many view as desperation. Buhari does not come across as an overly ambitious Nigerian politician but that posturing is just on the surface. Behind that façade that he is in politics for altruistic reasons lies a deep-seated craving for power which has been obvious since his much criticized overthrow of the Shagari presidency in 1983. Not only did his coup plot set the country backwards by several decades, the way he went about exercising his power gave the first revelation of his character as a man whose decision can be biased by extraneous considerations.

Buhari

Since his foray into politics, Buhari has built the essence of his aspiration for the presidency of this country solely on the high ground of moral rectitude. The much you can say of Muhammadu Buhari – indeed the only thing he flaunts – is that he is not corrupt. It is a claim that is quite contentious. When added to the widely-held criticism that he holds bigoted views on religion and ethnicity, it becomes even more unlikely he will ever again lead this country in dire need of visionary leadership? In spite of all these baggage, Buhari continues to harbor the belief that his personal charisma among a few Northerners and his usual appeal to undue fundamentalism, are enough to drive his presidential aspiration. I doubt if he is right. In spite of Buhari’s pretentions to democratic ideals, the fear persists that if given the opportunity, his government would jettison liberal norms in favour of draconian rules. The fear is a throw-back to the past.

The thoughtless execution of three young men, Lawal Ojuolape, Bernard Ogedengbe and Bartholomew Owoh on drug trafficking offences, is one instance that Nigerians would rather not remember. In spite of calls from public-spirited individuals, well-meaning Nigerians and the international community, Buhari had ordered the killing for which he refuses to offer any apologies till today. Rather he rationalizes the retroactive law with which he carried out the judicial or state murder: it was not an error but a deliberate action by his government to discourage drug trafficking. It was nothing short of premeditated murder.

Out of government for nearly 30 years, Buhari has done little to prepare himself to lead Africa’s largest economy. While former leaders like Jerry Rawlings of Ghana took to the podiums, delivering public lectures that have furthered the cause of democracy, peace and development in Africa, his predecessor in office, General Olusegun Obasanjo retired into a similar statesmanship, traversing the globe to further issues that help elevate humanity. Even General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who had one of the shortest military reigns in Nigeria, still finds dignity in causes that advance democracy, good governance and peace. Standing aloof, Buhari is of a different hue, neither improving himself like Obasanjo who still shuttles between classrooms, nor adding value to people around him. So how does a man who can hardly manipulate a laptop inspire the millions of upwardly mobile youths in Nigeria?

I recall only two times when he was brought out from retirement to engage in ‘worthy causes’. The first was when the late General Abacha saddled him with the duty of managing the Petroleum Trust Fund, PTF, while the second was when he was appointed by his state government in the early nineties as head of Gidaunniyar Jihar Katsina, a government-funded Trust for the state’s development. It is debatable if taking up such positions can be regarded as sacrifices. So, why would a man who is so desirous of public office do practically nothing that would inconvenience him personally and/or financially in furthering the cause of other people?

Many say the former Nigerian leader is not financially buoyant, but this raises questions of their own. How did ‘poor man’ Buhari fund three presidential contests in a row, and has entered the fray for the fourth? Buhari presents himself as a poor man but he did not flinch at his party’s decision to impose a N27.5 million fee for the purchase of a nomination form that should sell for N1 million at most. His decision to acquiesce with that daylight robbery is very curious indeed: his crusade for moral rectitude should have started from his own backyard. The issue about how Buhari cornered a bank loan to fund the purchase of his nomination form, will ring all through this presidential campaign.

At the NN24 presidential debate towards the 2011 elections, he gave an indication that if elected he would institute an inquiry into how money was spent by previous governments. Good, but the people’s fears are still not misplaced, mainly because Buhari has a long history of discrimination when applying the big stick. The discriminatory manner in which he handled events after the 1983 coup is a case in point. Hoisting himself on the totem pole of moral rectitude and discipline, Buhari had proclaimed the Shagari civilian administration corrupt and had commenced an anti-corruption crusade that first received accolades until it became obvious he was sectional in applying it. A section of Nigerians will never forget how Vice President Ekwueme was roasted, literally, at Ikoyi prison by Buhari, at a time his kinsman and head of the ‘corrupt’ regime, Shagari, was treated with kid gloves on house arrest in another part of Ikoyi.

At 72, Buhari should have left the stage with whatever is left of his reputation. The man who, in the run-up to the 2011 presidential election, told his supporters to go on a lynching spree if the result did not favor him, eventually lost in a contest adjudged free and fair, but it did not stop the post-election violence that arose from that careless pronouncement. He still carries the stigma of indictment by the Sheikh Ahmed Lemu presidential panel that investigated those outbreaks of violence.

Innocent Nigerians are now reaping the whirlwind from that –and similar — irresponsible utterances.

Does Buhari need to demystify himself any further? No. He needs to take some of the advice Nigerians are freely giving to his friend Olusegun Obasanjo: the days of playing God are over; and it is only Nigerians, freely expressing their electoral choices, who can determine who will be their president. His ambition –legitimate as it is – is disturbingly desperate, a perception that makes his aspiration increasingly difficult to realize.

*Mr. Galadima, a political analyst, wrote from Kano, Kano State.

 

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Buhari’s self demystification